10 Movies & Shows Similar to Employee of the Month (2004)

Description: Similar to 'Employee of the Month' (2004), 'Office Space' is a workplace comedy that satirizes the monotony and absurdity of corporate culture. Both films feature protagonists who are disillusioned with their jobs and eventually rebel against their oppressive work environments. The humor in both movies stems from relatable workplace frustrations and the exaggerated personalities of coworkers and bosses.

Fact: The film was inspired by Mike Judge's own experiences working in a tech company. The iconic scene where the employees destroy a printer was based on real-life frustrations with office equipment. The character Milton was almost cut from the film but became one of its most memorable parts.

Description: This British sitcom shares 'Employee of the Month's' focus on workplace misfits in a corporate environment. Both find humor in the disconnect between employees and management, and both feature socially awkward protagonists navigating office politics. The absurdist humor and tech-related jokes make it particularly appealing to similar audiences.

Fact: The iconic 'Have you tried turning it off and on again?' line was almost cut for being too technical. Richard Ayoade (Moss) directed several episodes. The show was remade for American television but failed to capture the original's charm.

Description: While set in government rather than retail, 'Parks and Rec' shares 'Employee of the Month's' focus on workplace dynamics and eccentric coworkers. Both celebrate the small victories of everyday workers and find humor in bureaucratic systems. The optimistic tone and character-driven comedy make it thematically similar.

Fact: The show was originally conceived as a spin-off of 'The Office'. Chris Pratt was cast as Andy Dwyer for just a few episodes but became a series regular due to fan response. Many of the town hall meetings were improvised by the cast.

Description: Like 'Employee of the Month', 'Horrible Bosses' revolves around employees dealing with terrible bosses, though it takes a darker, more comedic approach. Both films explore themes of workplace dissatisfaction and the lengths employees will go to improve their situations. The ensemble cast and comedic tone make it a fitting companion to 'Employee of the Month'.

Fact: Jennifer Aniston's role as a sexually aggressive dentist was a departure from her usual 'girl-next-door' roles. The film was originally titled 'Bad Bosses' but was changed to avoid confusion with a British TV show. Colin Farrell shaved his head and gained weight for his role as the coke-addicted boss.

Description: This sequel continues the themes of workplace rebellion and absurd humor found in 'Employee of the Month'. While the plot shifts to entrepreneurship, the core dynamic of employees versus oppressive authority figures remains. The film's over-the-top comedy and focus on workplace dynamics align it with the spirit of 'Employee of the Month'.

Fact: Chris Pine was originally considered for Charlie Day's role in the first film before joining the sequel. The film features an unexpected cameo from a major political figure. The cast improvised many of the funniest lines in the movie.

Description: This workplace comedy shares 'Employee of the Month's' blend of professional and personal storylines, particularly the romantic tension between coworkers. Both find humor in office dynamics while developing will-they-won't-they relationships. The balance of workplace comedy and romantic elements makes them tonally similar.

Fact: Mindy Kaling based some of the show on her experiences working on 'The Office'. Chris Messina (Danny) was initially only supposed to appear in the pilot. The show was canceled by Fox after 3 seasons but continued on Hulu for 3 more.

Description: This police comedy shares 'Employee of the Month's' ensemble cast structure and workplace humor, though in a more professional setting. Both shows balance character-driven comedy with lighthearted competitions (like the Nine-Nine's Halloween heists mirroring the employee competitions in 'Employee of the Month'). The found-family aspect of coworkers is strong in both.

Fact: Andre Braugher's deadpan delivery as Captain Holt was inspired by his Shakespearean training. The show was canceled by Fox after 5 seasons but revived by NBC due to fan outcry. Many of the cold open jokes were improvised by the cast.

Description: While set in the tech startup world, 'Silicon Valley' shares 'Employee of the Month's' satire of workplace hierarchies and corporate absurdity. Both feature protagonists navigating ridiculous professional challenges while dealing with eccentric coworkers. The cringe comedy and commentary on workplace culture create similar appeal.

Fact: Many tech entrepreneurs have said the show accurately portrays startup culture. T.J. Miller (Erlich) was written out after season 4 due to personal conflicts. The show's fictional tech company Hooli was named after a real company's typo in legal documents.

Description: This TV series shares 'Employee of the Month's' setting of a big-box retail store and its humorous take on the lives of underappreciated workers. Both highlight the quirky personalities that emerge in retail environments and find comedy in the mundane aspects of service jobs. The ensemble cast and workplace romance elements are particularly reminiscent of 'Employee of the Month'.

Fact: The show was inspired by creator Justin Spitzer's experiences working at a Target store. Many of the background customers are real people filmed in actual stores. America Ferrera was pregnant during filming, which was written into her character's storyline.

Description: Like 'Employee of the Month', 'Workaholics' focuses on underachieving employees who prioritize fun over work. Both feature slacker protagonists who rebel against corporate culture, though 'Workaholics' takes a more extreme, surreal approach. The camaraderie between coworkers and anti-establishment humor are key similarities.

Fact: The main cast met in improv comedy and created the show based on their real-life friendship. Many episodes were inspired by the cast's actual college experiences. The show's title was almost 'The Secret Life of Dorks'.